123* BIRDS OP rLtiDSOIS. 



more easily 'stalked. More often the heron first sees the in- 

 truder, and startles him by its harsh squawking cries as it flies 

 from its feeding place. 



Breeding colonies of this species were formerly common in 

 many parts of the state, but they are becoming scarce in con- 

 sequence of wanton persecution by squirrel hunters and others. 

 'They usually select the largest trees and build their bulky nests 

 of sticks on the highest branches, a dozen or more nests some- 

 times being built in one tree. 



The food of this bird consists of fishes, frogs, crawfish, etc., 

 large quantities of which must be sacrificed to appease its 

 voracious appetite, as many as ten "good-sized" fishes, having 

 been disgorged at one time by a heron that was in haste to get 

 away. 



BuBGBNtrs Herodias Boib. 



Eerodias BoiE, Isis, 1822, 669. Type, by elimination, Arclea egretta Limr. 



SuBGEN. Chab. White Herons of large size, and without plumes, except in the breed- 

 ing season, when ornamented simply (In most species) by a long train of straight feathers, 

 with thick shafts, and long, sparse, decomposed. Slender barbs, which growfrom the dorsal 

 region and overhang the tail. Bill moderately slender, the upper and lower outlines al- 

 most parallel to near the end, where gently curved, the oulmen more abruptly so than the 

 gonys, though the curve is auite gradual. Mental apex reaching a point about midway be- 

 tween the tip of the bill and the eye; malar apex decidedly anterior to the frontal apex, and 

 extending to beneath the posterior end of the nostrils. Toes very long, the middle one 

 about two thirds the tarsus, the Wllux much less than one half the former. TibiEB bare for 

 about one half their length, or for about the length of the middle toe. Anterior scutellee of 

 tarsus large, distinct, and nearly quadrate. Nuptial plumes confined to the anterior part of 

 the back, whence spring numerous lone, straight, and thick shafts, reaohint;, when fully 

 developed, to considerably beyond the end of the tail, each stem having along each side 

 very long, slender, and distant flbrillse. Tail even, of twelve broad feathers. liower hind 

 neck well feathered. Plumage entirely pure white at all stages and seasons. 



This subgenus, like Ardea, Cfo/rseUa, etc., is nearly cosmopoli- 

 tan, being wanting only in the islands of the South Pacific 

 and in the colder latitudes of otter regions. It contains but 

 a single American species, which has a more extensive range 

 than any other of the American herons, excepting only the 

 Night Heron, its regular habitat extending from the United 

 States to Patagonia. 



